 Spooky activities for children this October half-term
The Enchanted Performers Theatre Company
Join us at Wokingham Library as we welcome The Enchanted Performers Theatre Company for Julia Donaldson story tales.
This is a storytelling session with drama, puppets, props and music, with lots of fun and interaction.
The event takes place on Thursday 26 October from 10.30am to 11.30am and it costs £2, with parents required to attend. It is suitable for children aged three to six.
Spooky Tales
Dress up in your best spooky outfits and join us for stories and crafting. Sessions are suitable for children aged four to ten and are free, but places must be booked. These are being held at:
- Twyford Library, Tuesday 24 October, 10.30am to 11.30am
- Wokingham LIbrary, Tuesday 24 October, 4pm to 4.30pm
- Spencers Wood Library, Thursday 26 October, 10.30am to 11.30am
- Winnersh Library, Friday 27 October, 10.30am to 11.30am
Take part in a spooky picture trail at Woodley and Twyford libraries between 11 and 24 October for a chance to be entered into a free prize draw.
Rhymetime
Suitable for children under the age of five, join us at Emmanuel Church Hall in Woodley on Monday 30 October for fun rhymes followed by colouring. This session will run from 10.15am to 11.15am and it is free to attend, but places must be reserved.
Get Arty
Come and get creative at our fun and spooky arts and crafts sessions. These are suitable for children aged four to ten, but children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a £2 charge payable on the day and places must be booked. Join us at:
- Woodley Library, Wednesday 25 October, 10.30am to 11.30am
- Lower Earley Library, Thursday 26 October, 3pm to 4pm
- Wokingham Library, Friday 27 October, 10.30am to 11.30am
- Finchampstead Library, Friday 27 October, 10.30am to 11.30am
To find out more about the events taking place at our libraries, visit our events website.
 Big thanks to those who made book fest a success
We had a lot of fun at the weekend as we welcomed hundreds of visitors to the annual Wokingham Children's Book Festival.
With some authors selling out and others making their first-ever appearance at the festival, it was a really memorable weekend.
In addition to the ticketed events, we were pleased to be able to offer a free day of storytelling at Wokingham Library on Saturday, with local authors taking it in turns to entertain and inspire.
The popular Nick Sharratt delivered a brilliant and 'super silly' session to kick things off on Saturday and was followed by a raft of award-winning authors and illustrators.
Thank you to everyone who attended the events and we are already looking forward to another successful festival this time next year.
 Guide Dogs visit, heritage walk and more for adults
Guide Dogs
Come and meet guide dogs and their owners at Lower Earley Library on Tuesday 24 October and at Woodley Library on Thursday 26 October from 10am to 12noon.
These are drop-in events to give you the chance to find out more about the work of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, the world's largest breeder and trainer of working dogs.
There is no need to book and all ages are welcome, so just come along and meet some wonderful dogs and find out how they help their owners.
Family fun event
A variety of organisations will be visiting Lower Earley Library on Tuesday 24 October to help you better understand the services available locally.
Join us outside the library from 10am to 12noon to find out more, with fun and free activities for children on offer too.
Organisations taking part include Herbies Hegehogs, Sport in Mind, My Journey, The Link Visiting Scheme, Dr Bike, Trinity Church and Thames Valley Police.
Virtual walk around Reading's historic shops
Join Ann Smith at Wokingham Library as she goes on a trip down memory lane. During her illustrated talk, which runs from 10.30am to 11.30am on Thursday 19 October, she will highlight some of the more memorable landmarks of the high street, as well as some forgotten gems. This is a free event but booking is required via the libraries event website.
Heritage walk
Find out some fascinating information about the history of Wokingham. Join The Wokingham Society from 10.30am on Friday 20 October, meeting at the bottom entrance to the former Wokingham Library on Langborough Road. This is a free event but booking is required via the libraries event website.
 Combine science and books with Reading Sparks
We are delighted to say that we will once again be offering free Reading Sparks boxes from Lower Earley Library.
From Monday 23 October, families will be able to borrow one of the boxes, with each one containing a book and a science experiment to try out at home.
These boxes proved to be very popular last year and there are four different themes to choose from, including space, machines, invisible nature and animals.
Once you have completed the experiment, just return the box to the library with the completed evaluations to receive a CREST Award.
The Reading Sparks project was devised by The Reading Agency, with the aim of building confidence and engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through reading.
 Black History Month and news from world of books
October is Black History Month, the annual celebration of the history and achievements of black people and of black culture. For 2023, there is a special emphasis on the role that black women have played in shaping history and inspiring change, which is being highlighted under the theme of ‘Saluting Our Sisters.’
You can read our book recommendations on this subject by visiting our libraries blog.
We also have recent blog articles on prize winners from the world of books, including the Baillie Gifford Non-Fiction longlist and Wolfson History Prize shortlist.
 Connecting the community through our libraries
Cosy Coffee Mornings
Our libraries in Wokingham, Woodley and Lower Earley are once again hosting cosy coffee mornings. These are open to everyone and are a chance to enjoy a friendly chat with our volunteers and enjoy a hot drink and biscuits. All sessions run from 10.30am to 11.30am and are held at:
- Wokingham Library on the fourth Thursday of each month (26 October)
- Woodley Library on the first and second Thursday of each month (2 and 9 November)
- Lower Earley Library on the fourth Friday of each month (27 October)
Men’s Oasis
Are you a retired professional who misses the mental challenge and social interaction of a work environment? Men’s Oasis offers a friendly, intellectually stimulating meeting place where like-minded individuals can meet for group-driven activities including speakers, discussions and workshops.
The group meets on the fourth Friday of each month from 10am to 12noon at Wokingham Library, with the next meeting taking place on Friday October 27. You can find out more by emailing Andy MacNaughton.
Cribbage Club
Our Cribbage Club at Wokingham Library is still looking for new members. It’s suitable for all abilities and free to join. It meets on the first and third Fridays of each month from 10.30am to 12noon. The next session is on Friday 20 October.
Home Library Service
Are you unable to reach your local library due to ill health, disability or because you are caring for someone? Our free home library service can deliver a range of reading materials to you, including large print and audiobooks. Volunteers will match items to your reading tastes and deliver once every three weeks at an agreed time. If you would like to find out more, send us an email.
 Staff congratulated for making a huge difference
Congratulations to two of our library colleagues, who have been awarded certificates of appreciation by The Friendship Alliance.
Heather Dyson and Francesca Bartlett were recognised for the work they have done to promote activities that reduce loneliness and isolation.
 How you can help out by volunteering at your library
Local community library volunteer
We are looking for volunteers to help at our library in Spencers Wood. You would be required to open and close the library, undertake daily checks, shelve books and tidy. Volunteers work in teams and are able to commit to hours that suit them, providing a friendly and helpful service to visitors. Applicants must be aged 21 and over to apply for this role.
Rhymetime volunteer
We are looking for an enthusiastic person to help deliver rhymetime at Spencers Wood Library. These popular sessions are held on the first Thursday of the month from 10.30am to 11am. All volunteers are given the opportunity to observe sessions until they feel comfortable and confident.
Shinfield Micro Library
Our library at the School Green Centre in Shinfield is looking for volunteers to help shelve books once a week. You would be at the library for a two-hour slot to put back the books that are returned and help to keep the shelves looking tidy.
Become a Reader Leader and help change lives
A charity that uses the power of literature and reading to transform lives is looking for people to help lead a group at Wokingham Library.
The Reader aims to bring people together to share stories and poems to create a Shared Reading group. Through these sessions, the charity aims to improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness. Email suecolbourn@thereader.org to register your interest or you can submit an online form
If you are interested in any of the above opportunities, send us an email.
 Get the most of out your tech thanks to free support
Technology can be hugely helpful, but it can also be difficult to navigate. Local volunteers from the charity AbilityNet will be offering free tech support at Lower Earley Library on Friday 27 October.
The charity has been helping older and disabled people with their computers, mobiles, tablets and more for more than 20 years.
Join them from 10am to 11.30am to get your questions answered. If you are unable to make this session, these will be held on the fourth Friday of each month at the same time.
Here are just some of the things they can help with:
- Setting up new equipment
- Connecting to the internet and searching the web
- Viruses, slow working computer, updates
- Making simple changes to your equipment to make it easier to use
- Impartial advice about staying safe online, backing up files and photos
- Showing you how to email, shop online, connect with family and friends
To find out more, call 0800 048 7642 or send the charity an email.
 Looking ahead at ways to help others this Christmas
Reading Family Aid: Toys and Teens Christmas Appeal
Lower Earley Library will be acting as a toy donation point for the appeal this year, with donations accepted from Thursday 19 October to Saturday 2 December.
They are collecting toys and gifts for children 16 and under, which will be distributed in time for Christmas. These can be new items or very good quality second hand.
Cards for Good Causes
These will also be in the library, with cards available to purchase until Christmas Eve. A selection of charity Christmas cards, wrapping paper, gift tags and advent calendars are on sale now. Merchandise will also be available at Wokingham Library later in the month.
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